# roommate

/ˈɹuˌmeɪt/ (US) · /ɹˈuːmeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/roommate
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 2. sharing a bedroom

noun · CEFR A2

a person who sleeps in the same room as you, like in a university dormitory.

For teachers: a person with whom one shares a single sleeping room, common in institutional settings like university dormitories or military barracks.

- My roommate in the college dorm always stays up late studying with the desk lamp on.
- Living with a roommate in such a cramped dormitory requires a high degree of mutual respect and clear communication regarding personal boundaries.

## Examples

- My roommate always leaves his dirty dishes in the sink.
- After graduating, she looked for a roommate to help split the cost of a two-bedroom apartment downtown.
- Finding a compatible roommate involves more than just shared interests; it requires a mutual understanding of cleanliness standards and social boundaries within the shared living space.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.